Reasons why a Miami Deck might Collapse causing Serious Injuries
You might remember that a couple of weeks ago, the deck on a Miami area sports bar, Shuckers Waterfront Grill, unexpectedly collapsed as fans watching a Miami Heat game began to cheer. The sudden deck collapse at Shuckers sent about 100 people plummeting into Biscayne Bay below the deck. Our deck collapse injury attorneys know that more than 30 people were injured. 24 were hospitalized for injuries including factures. And a few were listed in critical condition.
Investigators pointed to a support beam that collapsed, leading the entire deck to fold in the middle and drop patrons and their tables, deck chairs, food, and belongings into the Bay beneath. The immediate aftermath of the deck collapse at Shuckers was chaos as the power to Shuckers Waterfront Grill also went away at the time of the collapse.
Those who were able tried to extract stricken patrons from the water amid screams and crying. Helicopters with spotlights arrived with first responders to facilitate rescue from the tangled mass of the wreckage. It was unclear whether the deck had been properly inspected or maintained since its construction, possibly more than 20years previously.
Our deck collapse injury attorneys note that wooden decks generally have a MAXIMUM useful lifespan of 20 years. And that lifespan is lessened by hot, humid, salt air seaside climates.
Some possible causes behind the deck collapse at Shuckers, or any deck collapse near a coast, include:
- Lack of actual connection of the deck to the support beams. Sometimes deck are just resting upon or set upon support pillars.
- Hardware connecting the deck corroded in the hot, humid climate and salt sea air.
- Wood that had eroded, cracked, or split in the humid, salty environment.
- Use of nails or connectors that are too weak to connect the parts of the deck rather than proper, securely anchored bolts.
- Structural connections like bolts are too small to effectively attach the structural members;
- Spacing of support beams and pillars too far apart to support likely deck weight loads. We reiterate that witness accounts said up to 100 people were on the deck watching the Miami Heat game at the time of the deck collapse at Shuckers.
Contact the Experienced Deck Collapse Injury Attorneys at Denena Points, PC for Help after an Injury from an Unexpected Deck Collapse
To win the financial compensation you deserve after a sudden deck collapse at Shuckers or anywhere, you need to be able to prove the causes of the collapse and that the owner or operator of the home or venue was negligent in some way, such as in failing to regularly inspect or maintain the deck. Proving bad construction, poor materials, or inadequate maintenance generally requires complex, very technical evidence. You might need qualified experts to help you who know applicable building codes, maintenance and inspection requirements, materials composition, engineering stress calculations, and proper medical treatments for injuries to testify in your case.
Our experienced deck collapse injury attorneys could help you locate qualified expert witnesses and provide the help you need to prove your claim. We’ve been helping injured victims win the just financial recoveries they deserve for more than 12 years. Call us at
281-369-4363 for a FREE, no obligation initial legal consultation to discuss your case and evaluate your potential for financial recoveries. Or just fill out our easy online contact form. Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for your benefit.